On March 9, 2013, Chinese President Hu Jintao exchanged congratulatory messages with King Juan Carlos I of Spain to mark the 40th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between the two countries.

In his message, Hu said bilateral relations between China and Spain had developed rapidly since the establishment of diplomatic ties in 1973. Ever since a comprehensive strategic partnership was established in 2005, the two countries had strengthened cooperation in various areas and achieved fruitful results, he said. Facing the complicated and volatile international situation, both countries had coordinated closely with each other and supported each other in pursuit of common development, said the Chinese leader. Hu said China cherished its traditional friendship with Spain and hoped both sides would work to push for new development in bilateral ties by promoting exchanges at various levels, deepening pragmatic cooperation and expanding cultural exchanges.

In his message, the Spanish king extended his wishes of peace and happiness to China. He said both Spain and China had made great achievements in past decades and he believed bilateral relations would become closer in the future to further benefit the two countries and the two peoples.

On the same day, Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao exchanged messages with Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy.

Wen hailed the sound development of traditionally friendly relations between the two countries. He said that in the past 40 years, mutual political trust had been strengthened and bilateral cooperation in areas, such as finance, telecommunications and energy, as well as cultural exchanges, had yielded substantial results. Both sides have also maintained close communication in international and regional affairs. Wen said the Chinese government attaches importance to developing relations with Spain and is ready to take the 40th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties as an opportunity and make joint efforts with Spain to deepen exchanges and cooperation in all areas and continuously promote the comprehensive strategic partnership.

In his message, Rajoy said both sides had worked closely in the past 40 years and established a comprehensive strategic partnership in 2005. He hoped the two sides would further strengthen the bonds of friendship and push for more consensus and cooperation.

Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi also exchanged messages with his Spanish counterpart Jose Manuel Garcia-Margallo to mark the occasion.